My husband loves to read and always has multiple books going at once. He tends to be a slower reader, so when I see him reading a book that he can barely set down, and which often results in several midnight or later nights for him, I know that I, more than likely, need to add that book or series to the top of my reading list. Such it was with the Wingfeather Saga. Our good friends had introduced us to the series and J was the first of us to pick up the book and try it out. It wasn't long into his reading that he started to tell me, "Babe, you've got to read these books." And on my list they went.

So a few months ago, I cracked open the binding of the first one, and it was only a matter of paragraphs before I knew this one had me. The creativity of Andrew Peterson to create this world, these characters, the depth of this story line!? It astounds me. As it was when I read the Harry Potter Series I continually found myself just struck by the imagination and thoughtfulness and attention to every detail that an Andrew Peterson or a J.K. Rowling pours into every ounce of their writing.

These 4 books in the Wingfeather Saga follow the stories of three siblings and each one of them will endear themselves to you in their own unique way. The characters in this book are so diverse, each fascinating in their own right. The stories behind the story are weaved together in the most artistic way to create this world and the lives in it. The landscapes of this book are terrifying and the kind that dreams are made of. The writing as a whole is simply beautiful -- it pricks every emotion and it brought me to tears multiple times. The way he writes of the themes of redemption and sacrifice, forgiveness and courage, love and hope is profound to me in the case of a novel. Truly, what a gift to write like this.

These are books that J and I cannot wait to read aloud with Anna Kate one day. These are books that will sit on our bookshelves for years to come and be very well-worn. These are the kinds of books that, for me, as also in the case of dear Harry, I was so sad to close the last one, and because of that, I can't wait to come back to again one day.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." -- Dr. Seuss

Books, books, and more books. The collection is ever growing in our home, which I love, as the smell of a new book and the feeling of breaking open its binding are the happiest of sensations. Pouring stories into AK's mind and heart has been an important piece of our everyday parenthood since we were putting her crib together. Books are constant companions, tools for our mind and our imagination, friends that are always near. Getting into scrapes with Anne, walking across the English countryside with Lizzy and Jane, wandering into magical Narnia with Lucy, fighting for justice with Atticus Finch; I've done all these things and these characters are beloved in my heart. I want AK to know these people, to have these adventures, to be inspired to always be learning more, to see heroes and heroines, and to come away with a greater love for the written word.

Sitting down and reading with Anna Kate, watching her discover the characters and stories that I know and love already or falling into an entirely new story together, is one of the dearest parts of motherhood for me. And when she stacks book after book on itself and plops down on the couch next to me to read every single one of them, my mama's heart swells. She's coming to love these stories, too, and I always want to be handing her more.

This list is just a few of the favorites that we started our bookshelves for AK with. Some I have loved since childhood, as well, and some we've come to know just in the past year. There are countless more that I would put on a list for you, but let's start here with these few dear ones.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey // It's gentle and full of the sweetest simplicity, and every time we read it AK and I dream about living on the coast one day, chasing seagulls and digging up clams for dinner.

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and Sophie Blackall // One of the best stories ever put to paper. Childhood come full circle in the sweetest possible way.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney // I have loved this book for years; her travels, her work, her little cottage by the sea, and the lovely thing she does to "make the world more beautiful." Miss Rumphius would be the dearest kind of lady to know.

Corduroy by Don Freeman // a classic that I think must sit on every child's shelf.

James Herriot's Treasury for Children by James Herriot // Some of the most tender, gorgeous stories from the heart of a faithful British veterinarian and the illustrations are at the top of some of my forever favorites list.

Our Corner Grocery Store by Joanne Schwartz // This was a library find that was read about 136 times in the span of the few weeks that we had it, so it had to become a staple on our bookshelf. It's delightful.

Paddington by Michael Bond // Truly, what's more charming than a bear who travels to England from darkest Peru with suitcase full of marmalade??

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson // The "Bear" books were a Chick-Fil-A kids meal discovery that won a spot in AK's heart a few years ago and have sat on our shelf ever since. There's a whole sweet little collection.

One of my favorite pieces of gathering together my thoughts and plans for a new year is the compiling of my new year book list. I am sure that pile of new reads has to be one of the most delightful things the world has to offer.

I haven't set a particular number of books to read this year, though I would like to. I have, however, set one goal: I shall not buy another book until I have made good progress through the stack that has come to collect on my desk and nightstand over the past 6 months. With a list of titles such as these I already have much goodness to savor. So hold me to it, friends. I must be strong.

There are other titles that whirl around in my head as possibilities for the days ahead, but I'm sticking with these 10 as my beginning. And I'm quite happy with them.

Right now I am reading.......

The second book of the Wingfeather Saga: North! Or Be Eaten -- it reminds me of Harry Potter in its incredible creativity and imagery, yet told with such real emotion and wisdom. I've never seen my husband read a book series so quickly!

Praying the Lord's Prayer by J.I. Packer for our January women's bible study at church. Here's a nugget from the first chapter: "Conversations with parents or wise friends whom we love and respect, and who are ready to help us by advice and action, feel neither pointless nor tedious, and we gladly give time to them -- indeed, schedule time for them -- because we value them, and gain from them. This is how we should think of times of communion with God in prayer......" Oh, what wisdom! Plus, he threw in the phrase higgledy-piggledy in the second chapter.....what could be more delightful?

And I am going to begin checking off my new list by picking Missional Motherhood back up. I had started it back several months ago, but had to set it down as life demands hit hard. I can't wait to read this gem. I've heard only lovely things about it.

Sometime in the next few weeks I'm going to share with you all what drives my decisions to read the books that I do, but for now I will leave it here.

What books are you looking forward to reading this year? Do you have any suggestions of must-reads that need to go on my book list for later in the year?